Lauren Hackel, APRN

My favorite animated movie is Hercules.

The Rainbow Fish is my favorite children's book. As a child, I liked it because of the pretty colors and illustrations. As an adult, I love the message behind it. Happiness doesn't come from looks but rather from love and friendship

My favorite childhood toys were Barbie dolls and Breyer horses.

My greatest inspirations are my parents. They have worked so hard to give my sisters and I the best lives possible. They have always supported our dreams and aspirations and have been the best role models.

My favorite hobby is horseback riding. I have been doing English riding and show jumping for over 20 years. I still continue to ride every week here in Tampa. I also enjoy spending time with my husband and our 10 year old pitbull/lab mix Nike. We love to travel and explore new places! I am also very physically active and enjoy doing pilates and Orange Theory Fitness

I have always been passionate about working with children. I enjoy my job so much because I like to have fun with my patients. I want patients and their families to have a comfortable and positive experience at the doctor. I love the fact that I can make a valuable impact on children's lives. I also love working closely with parents and making them feel as comfortable as possible.

I think my strongest attributes are communication and building trust. I love to educate parents and families and answer all questions and concerns they may have. I want to work with families to decide on individual care plans for each patient and I want everyone to feel comfortable with the plan. I love to make appointments a positive experience for my patients and their families. I like to have fun during appointments which I think helps my patients feel comfortable and at ease. After college, I worked as a nurse in the NICU for 6 years. This opportunity taught me so much about communication, trust and patient advocacy.

I individualize everything based on each patient. For example, some patients have sensory issues and cannot handle certain vital signs being done. If able, I find they usually do better after the appointment when they are less stressed. I will also tailor certain aspects of the appointment as needed for those with physical needs. Communication and advocacy can go a long way.